Announcement—
I am sorry but I wouldn't be able to upload any new chapter for 1 to 2 weeks, their is something going on in my house that require my attention due to which I am unable to upload chapters.
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Akira Fujimiya's face froze, and he silently withdrew his hand that he had raised to protect himself.
As he closed his eyes, bracing for Hiratsuka-sensei's punch.
Shouko saw Hiratsuka-sensei's expression and felt a little worried for Akira.
Hiratsuka Shizuka made a sign to Shouko, telling her to get out of the way.
Shouko lowered her head and obediently dodged.
Then, accidentally, she stepped on Akira's shoes.
Akira winced at the sudden pain but did not open his eyes.
The Student Council Office was quiet.
Shouko looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka, who seemed slightly angry, then back at Akira.
Finally, she couldn't help but speak.
"Iz's… ny fiulz," she said softly, her voice unclear and hard to understand.
(It's...my fault)
Hiratsuka Shizuka paused, staring at her in shocked and surprised.
"I… lrki Akiya Fujymeja," Shouko continued with difficulty.
(I...like Akira Fujimiya)
Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression softened.
There was even a hint of encouragement in her eyes and also something else as she heard Shouko try to talk for the first time.
"Cen yow…hik mi?" Shouko asked, summoning courage as she closed her eyes tightly.
(Can you...hit me?)
Hiratsuka Shizuka shook her head as she closed their distance. She reached out and held Shouko's hand gently.
"I'm glad you could say that," she said gently.
"Iz wus bacewze ok Akiya amd ewerioge elrs," Shouko replied quietly, opening her eyes slowly, understanding what Shizuka sensei was trying to say even with hearing the word clearly.
(It was because of Akira and everyone else)
Her words were a little vague and most people would find it hard to even understand what she was trying to say, but Hiratsuka Shizuka understood perfectly.
There was a hint of relief in her eyes.
She even thought to herself that it was right to come find Akira. In such a short time, he had opened Shouko's heart enough to make her speak willingly.
"Sensei, have I completed the task?" Akira's voice came from the side.
Shizuka glared at him, 'And you just have to ruin it!'
"Even though I'm glad Shouko started to talk, you're still terrible. You're not allowed to take her to your room for the rest of the week," she said firmly.
"Okay, I promise," Akira replied helplessly.
He signed to Shouko again, notifying her what Hiratsuka Shizuka was telling him, (in case she didn't understand).
She lowered her head, her expression mixed with....sadness.
Shizuka turned and noticed Shouko's expression, felt a moment of nervousness.
Could it be that Shouko hated her because of this?
"Sensei, don't worry. Shouko won't blame you. I too want her to keep some distance from me and spend sometime with others," Akira explained from the side.
"...Do you mean you're going to abandon Shouko?" Shizuka's expression turned cold as she glared at him.
"She's always been bullied by me. If she stayed by my side forever, maybe…" Akira trailed off, not continuing his sentence.
"You can't just go to Yukinoshita or Yuigahama!!" Shizuka blushed, as she exclaimed.
"Which Yukinoshita are you talking about?" Akira asked casually.
"You!!" Shizuka felt both embarrassed and annoyed at his teasing.
"Just kidding. I will be keeping some distance from Shouko so she can better become friends with others. If she followed me constantly, my presence might occupy her entire world, making her fully dependent on me" Akira said, smiling slightly. 'Which is not really a bad thing for me, but it will make him constantly worry about her'
"Do you… really think that?" Shizuka asked, staring intently at him.
"Yes. I want to give her time to sort out her feelings and approach me on her own," Akira said sincerely.
"....I understand. I won't stop her at that time..." Shizuka said after a moment of silence.
She realized this applied to her as well.
.....
In the afternoon, after all the classes ended.
Akira packed his bag and left the class before anyone else.
Shouko watched his retreating back, thinking about Hiratsuka Shizuka's words.
She didn't know what to do.
Shizuka didn't intend to stop her—she just wanted Shouko to confirm her true feelings. Did she really like Akira and want to be with him?
During this period, Akira wouldn't tease her or take the initiative to approach her again.
Shouko suddenly felt flustered.
When Akira was near, following him made her feel safe. Without him, she felt as though she had lost something, as if returning to a more confused, insecure past.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before her.
Ebina Hina!
She smiled at Shouko and held out a notebook with words written neatly on it—
(/Want to go shopping together?/)
Shouko blinked, then nodded slowly.
....
Inside Student Council Office,
A cup of hot tea sat in front of Akira on the table.
While Meguri Shiromeguri strummed the guitar skillfully, nearby—playing the song that she was practicing.
After she finished the song, Akira started clapping and smiled at her.
"Senpai, you are playing it much better now compare to before"
"It is thanks to you, Fujimiya-kun," she said softly.
"Then how do you plan to thank me, Senpai?" Akira picked up his teacup and asked meaningfully.
"I'll prepare dinner for you…tonight" Meguri whispered.
"Sorry, Meguri. I already have plans to go somewhere tonight," Akira shook his head.
"....Then can you come to my apartment another day?" she said weakly.
"Senior, are you planning to go home during summer vacation, or…?" Akira changed the subject.
"I want to work a bit, then go home for a few days after it," Meguri said after thinking for a moment.
"In that case, how about following my arrangement," Akira said with a smile.
"Fujimiya-kun, I…"
"Don't misunderstand. I don't want you to just sit idle by my side. The songs I taught you are meant for the anime that my company is making. When the time comes, you might have to play them in the Flash animation," Akira interrupted gently.
Meguri paused, she had already guessed it that much but she still couldn't help it as she asked, "Fujimiya-kun, you taught me this song on purpose to give me this job, right?"
"Senpai, you need a job and I will just provided one. If you refuse, I can only give you money directly," Akira said, looking at her.
"…I will accept this job,"
"Mmm, Since you're now part of the company, work hard. I will video chat with you occasionally and also continue to teach you to improve your skill," Akira said.
"I understand...I'll work hard," she nodded.
"When you return home, I'll personally take you to see your parents," Akira added, before standing and walking to her side.
Meguri's face turned red as he hugged her gently.
.....
After leaving the Student Council Office, Akira walked to the tennis court.
Hikigaya Hachiman and Hayama Hayato were practicing together while Totsuka was sitting in the bench watching over them, cheering.
Akira walked towards him and sat down beside Totsuka Saika.
"Mr. Fujimiya, can you still get first place in the final exam? It looks like you've been reading light novels during class," Saika teased.
"If I get first place, Totsuka-san, will you wear a sailor uniform for me?" Akira joked.
"Akira Fujimiya…"
"Hachiman would definitely be happy,"
Ayaka blushed.
Akira smiled and stopped teasing as he watch the match.
PING!
His phone rang, Akira took out his phone as he checked it—it was a message from Ebina Hina.
As he open it, the first thing he saw was a photo.
A selfie of Shouko, Hina together.
There in the photo — Shouko looked slightly confused while Hina was smiling as she took the selfie.
Since, Yuigahama Yui and Miura Yumiko were still attending free tutoring, Hina had to accepted Akira's request to accompany Shouko.
He knew that—
If Shouko were to be left alone, she'd likely be flustered and unsure what to do. But with Hina guiding her, she could follow along comfortably.
It will also help in increasing the number of people she could depend on.
As he was thinking about it, Suddenly—
A voice called out to him from a distance.
Akira looked up and saw—Isshiki Iroha was running toward him, while holding a lunch box.
When Totsuka Saika saw Iroha, he quietly stood up and left Akira's side.
Iroha smiled, approached, and sat beside him.
"What did you make today?" Akira asked, eyeing the lunch box.
"Senpai, take a guess," Iroha said with a smile.
"..I can't guess. Just reveal it," Akira said, shaking his head.
"Senpai, you're so perfunctory," Iroha pouted and opened the lunch box.
{T/N: Perfunctory means an action done as a routine duty or habit, with minimal effort, care, interest, or attention to detail}
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,484